Star Trek - TOS 38 Idic Epidemic Read Free

observed that even when exposed to smallpox, those who had had cowpox never caught it. So, out of fear of smallpox, some people exposed themselves to the lesser disease, cowpox.”
    T’Saen nodded. “Then you suggest that we deliber ately expose people who have not had the disease to the lesser strain?”
    Again Treadwell swallowed convulsively, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down in his scrawny neck. “I am … offering a suggestion for discussion.”
    Ginge, the Tellarite councillor, spoke up. “The idea is sound, provided we can guarantee exposure is to the lesser strain.”
    “Yes,” agreed Stolos, in his high-pitched Hemanite voice, the tassel of his flat-topped round cap shaking with the eager movement of his head. “Everyone on this council has had either the first or second strain of the plague, and we have all recovered. With no hope of a vaccine in sight, immunity to the deadly variety is surely worth the pain associated with the first strain.”
    Korsal spoke up. “You are wrong, Stolos—I have not had any strain of this disease. This latest variation frightens me as much as it does the rest of you … more, since I have developed no antibodies against it. Klingons fear no enemy that can be seen and understood—but a disease that attacks invisibly, stealing a person’s mind—” He turned to the nervous Human. “Dr. Treadwell, I will volunteer to test your theory.”
    It felt good to take action, even if only to offer himself in a passive role. In his frustration over the inability to act, Korsal was pure Klingon.
    Warner Jurgens, the council chair, sent the request for help to be transmitted, and the council settled down to the logistics of the new strategy. “We’ll take specimens from all victims entering the hospital,” said Rita Esposito. “Then, when we see which course the disease takes, we’ll use those from people who develop the least violent strain to expose volunteers who have never been ill. If it gives them the lesser illness, then their specimens will be used on others, and while it will be an unpleasant experience—”
    “No! Damn you to Zarth’s lowest hell, Human! You want to kill us all!”
    Keski, the Lemnorian, lunged at Esposito, grasping the startled woman by the throat with one hand while he reached for her tricorder with the other.
    There were no weapons in the council chamber, but the tricorder was a blunt instrument, and Keski had more than enough strength to smash Esposito’s skull with it.
    Everyone at the table moved, but Korsal reached Keski first, grabbing his arm before he could connect.
    Keski shook Korsal off, but his swing was broken.
    Two Human men were trying to pry the Lemnorian’s fingers free from the choking woman’s neck as T’Sael came up behind Korsal and tried to reach Keski’s shoulder for the neck pinch. He was too tall, so she climbed onto his chair, which had returned to its cubic shape.
    The Lemnorian lurched and struggled, and the Vulcan woman missed her grip.
    With a mindless roar, Keski dropped Esposito and swung a punch at Korsal, taking both of them out of T’Saen’s reach.
    The Klingon ducked, saw the tricorder coming at his head, and shifted in the opposite direction.
    Keski brought the instrument down on the table- top. It smashed into shards, one piercing Keski’s own arm. He screamed, and turned just as T’Saen was in position to nerve-pinch him. He backhanded her, but she managed to land on her feet as she fell off the chair.
    Stolos tackled Keski around the ankles and was kicked off like an offending dog.
    Keski brought both hands together, readying for a blow that would smash T’Saen’s head.
    Korsal kicked at the back of his knees, and Keski toppled, falling on top of the Klingon and transferring his fury once more.
    Korsal bounced to his feet and blocked the Lemnorian’s first clumsy blow with his arm, feeling the jolt numb it. With a speed unnatural to his giant race, Keski swung at Korsal with his left fist.
    His